Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy (MyACT) describes the use of acoustic pulses to treat acute
and chronic pain conditions of the musculoskeletal
system. A acoutic wave is an intense, short duration, acoustic energy wave that is generated outside the body (extracorporeal). Acoustic waves are focused so that they converge at a point deep within the soft tissue where the pain originates. These acoustic waves exert a mechanical stress on cells
which stimulates re-initiation
of
stagnant healing
processes and the
remodeling of
various
conditions.

Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy (MyACT) is a new technology using pulses of sound energy called "acoustic waves" to treat painful conditions of the musculo skeletal system. A acoustic wave is an intense, short duration acoustic wave traveling faster than the speed of sound.

Acoustic Compression waves have been used successfully in the treatment of chronic pain since the early '90s. The science behind MyACT is the same as lithotripsy, a technology that makes use of acoustic waves to break up kidney stones without surgery. Patients undergoing lithotripsy procedures noticed that their unrelated aches and pains were reduced, leading scientists to consider acoustic waves effect on other tissue injuries. Specialized machines were developed specifically with the idea of using the acoustic waves in other parts of the body – and MyACT was born.

Applications include the treatment of and pain associated with plantar fasciitis, sports related and repetitive stress injuries, and trigger points. MyACT is effective in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome which can be related to acute and chronic sports injuries, repetitive stress and occupational injuries.

Research presented at the 2005 International Conference on MyACT in Vienna and the 2006 International Conference in Rio de Janeiro demonstrated that acoustic wave therapy is also being studied for use for a wide variety of conditions as disparate as skin ulcers and other chronic dermatological lesions, infections, angina, arthritis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and certain neurological conditions.

Acoustic wave therapy is a highly efficient, non-surgical treatment of chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system. This is a major area of application in physiotherapy.

How Effective is MyACT?

The vast majority of recent studies suggest that acoustic wave therapy is highly effective and safe. Most recent independent studies report a success rate between 65% and 95% at reducing the intensity of pain that patients are experiencing. Like Most therapies, results are influenced by patient selections and adherence to the prescribed course of treatment.

MyACT can be seen as a mechanical stressor that is able to induce biochemical changes in living tissue and which can ultimately influence gene expression in cells at the molecular level, consequently, when used selectively, they can produce a specific tissue reaction. This process is referred to as mechanotransduction. Mechanical stimuli affect almost all cellular functions of living tissue such as growth, cell differentiation, cell migration, protein synthesis, physiological apoptosis and tissue necrosis. Mechanical forces have a direct influence on the form, and thereby on the function of tissue. Furthermore, new studies show that MyACT is able to stimulate endogenous lubricin production in tendons and septa.

Scientific studies and publications, using the highly accurate piezo acoustic wave technology, have confirmed the effectiveness of focused MyACT for trigger point diagnosis and treatment.

MyACT is one of the very few medical technologies that is effective at treating chronic injuries. It is suggested that MyACT can "jump start" the healing process in chronic, non-healing injuries and reintroduce the acute phase of healing.

Benefits of MyACT:

New non-invasive treatment method

Drug-free pain relief

Improved blood supply

Stimulation of tissue

Muscle relaxation

Safe and effective

Broad range of applications

Short treatment cycle time

Variable deep penetration

Conditions Treatable with MyACT

Chronic pain is one of the most common syndromes affecting many hundreds of thousands of patients. The majority of these painful conditions are triggered by ailments such as tennis elbow, calcaneal heel spurs, calcifications of the shoulder joint and ischemic muscle bands (triggerpoints). A chronic course with the pain continuing over many years, both at rest and during activities, is not uncommon. The use of acoustic waves to successfully treat these conditions is supported by a wealth of clinical experience and scientific evidence. In addition, acoustic wave technology is a valuable diagnostic tool for the precise localiztion of myofascial trigger points.

Acoustic Compression Therapy has been used to successfully relieve pain from the following conditions: